I am an Event Coordinator for a MOPS here in Houston, and I am trying to compile ideas for a large event to donate to during the Christmas season. I can remember we have done the boxes for kids overseas that went to those kids who weren't getting things for Christmas, but we also included necessities like toothbrushes, little cars for kids...just cute stuff that didn't cost too much. But I am tired of doing for those unfortunates that are across the globe and not doing for those in our backyard. I know some will disagree, and some agree, but I am just looking at those who are hurting next door. What can we do, as a MOPS group to help are closest neighbors. Our Christian Radio Station here in Houston KSBJ, always does a thing called "The Giving Tree" which a need is placed on the website, and someone chooses that person to help. Well, I was considering doing some thing like that instead of a national charity.
Ideas - Comments
Love the idea of "the giving tree". What makes that so special is that they get to list their needs specifically. You, if you are able to fill it, do. Simple concept. Every town should have something like that. Not only do they provide gifts/food/services you are not just throwing a blanket or something else at them they may/may not need. It's an awesome thing!
Hat's off to you for taking this on.....
Your school's resource centers a lot of times will know of really needy kids/families - that might be an option.
Also - your local churches likely have food pantries or clothes closet type of things. They generally get more donations during the holidays, but lately not as much as there is need.
You might check with the local senior centers and see if there are people who need to be adopted. They may be in need of food, blankets, heaters, or just would not be remembered at Christmas if they have no family.
This local group might be interesting to you.
http://www.wesleyhousehouston.org/whoweare.cfm
Years ago my daughter's GS troop adopted a Candle Lighters family. They were living here temporarily while one of the children was treated for cancer. We did everything from Xmas tree and holiday meal to toys and clothes for the children. This family was from deep in Mexico and didn't even have coats or shoes for winter. It was one of the most fulfilling things I've ever done and the girls got a lot from doing it. I'm sure there's a website, or MD Anderson could probably give direction.
Yes you can contact the Chamber of Commerace and see who is in charge of The Giving Tree or Angel Tree and adopt a couple familes for your MOPS to take care of over the holidays. My husbands office always has a tree with names age and sex of a person, with a couple wish list items. We always pick one and buy what they want and add other extras to it. I used to be in a bowling league that took a family like this and helped them with food and gifts. It was neat to do and made our holiday that much more special.
Please look into ProjectLinus.org Houston has a local chapter. Their mission is to give new, handmade blankets to terminally ill or traumatized children. The Sewing and Vacuum Warehouse in Houston is a drop off location. They even accept tied fleece blankets so no sewing required.
Angel Tree Ministries reaches out to kids with an incarcerated parent at the holidays.
www.angeltree.org
This is a life changing ministry!
You could check with local mission centers such as Baptist Mission Centers (Joy, Gano,and Fletcher) or Star of Hope. Find out what needs their patrons have during the winter. Perhaps a blanket or coat drive would help, or they may provide gifts for children who are in the Women's Center at Christmas. I just want to commend you for the desire to gift others rather than a gift exchange among your own members :)
There are a lot of good charities out there. I have a soft spot right now for the places hit by the severe tornados this spring. What about donating to one of those areas? I know Joplin lost almost all of their schools. They are in desperate need of band instruments, books, all sorts of things. And with families in Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma having been displaced and left homeless I'm sure Christmas gifts will be hard to come by for lots of people in those areas.
Pray about it and I am sure God will send you in the right direction!
Good luck!
I don't know what MOPS is. With so many families in desperate need this year, many cannot even aford a fancy holiday meal. What about making up food boxes, you could include a gift card to a grocery store. Maybe include some type of small gift that could be used by the whole family, like a card or board game.
I beleive it's the United Way that coordinates the giving tree in our area. The trees are placed in the mall, BJ's, etc. Each card has a description of what is needed and the agency that it's going to.
What about a women's and children's shelter? We have one here where I live and it's basically a home for women and children who have left abusive relationships.
I belong to a group called Soldiers' Angels. http://www.soldiersangels.org. We send care packages to deployed Military. They are based out of San Antonio and are currently collecting items for Christmas packages. This months' item is Hot Chocolate packages.
The same group also has a subgroup called Operation Top Knot where we send snail-mail showers to expecting spouse of deployed military.
http://soldiersangels.org/top-knot.html
Operation HomeFront - Texas:
http://www.operationhomefront.net/texas/default.aspx
Helps local military families in need.
Another option is to contact a local family/woman's shelter to see what their needs are.Our local family shelter is currently running a school supplies drive.
M.
